A five-year-old boy was injured in a jackal attack in Rahaspur village under Muffassil police station limits in Dumka district on Tuesday, deepening fear among residents. The incident comes days after a three-month-old infant was mauled to death by a jackal in neighbouring Pakur district.
Details of the attack
The boy, identified as Ayatullah Sheikh, son of Ajfarukh Sheikh, was asleep in his room when a jackal sneaked in during the early morning hours and pounced on him. Hearing his screams, family members rushed to the room and managed to drive the animal away. Ayatullah was immediately taken to a local hospital, where doctors said he is out of danger.
Rising jackal attacks
The back-to-back incidents have triggered panic in several villages, with residents reporting that jackals are increasingly entering homes at night. Ajfarukh Sheikh said, "Jackal attacks have surged in several villages under Muffassil police station. A three-month-old baby girl was killed in Lakhirampur village on May 9, and five to six other children have been injured in similar attacks so far."
Causes and concerns
Villagers blamed overgrown bushes, deserted areas and a nearby cemetery in Lakhirampur, believed to harbour hundreds of jackals, for pushing the animals closer to human settlements. While poultry and goats have frequently been targeted, attacks on children have sharply escalated concerns. Attempts to reach Pakur divisional forest officer Saurabh Chandra for comments were unsuccessful.
